2014 Willits High School principal letter to students

Each year, summer amazes me how fast summer vacation comes and goes. Getting the school ready for the next academic year is no easy task. A special thanks is given to the building and grounds crew in making this summer transition a success. They have worked non-stop to get the school ready for this next academic year. All classrooms were stripped and re-waxed, classroom cleaned from top to bottom, gum removed, classrooms organized, windows replaced, exterior walls cleaned, grass cleaned up, flowers pruned, and much, much, more. The school looks great and awaits the new and returning students.

As we start the 2014-2015 school year, I would like to keep you up to date on what is going on at both high schools in Willits Unified School District. This year, I am also the Principal of Willits Continuation High School Sanhedrin. As Principal, I look forward to the new challenge of managing both sites. This year Willits High School has a new assistant principal. His name is James Madden and he is moving from Oakland to join the team. WHS also hired a new academic counselor. Her name is Angelica Montelongo and she is joining us from Ventura County. Ms. Montelongo will be a great addition to Willits High School, as she is a native Spanish speaker. We also filled vacancies in English, math, social studies, and two new science teachers! This year, we will have a new elective class named AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), taught by our health teacher Jennifer Barrett. AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. AVID is open to incoming 9th graders, and each AVID student had to apply and attend an AVID interview last year to get into the class. AVID is going to be a great addition to Willits High School and will help student gain entrance to college and universities across the country.

This year, Willits High School will be a closed campus to 9th and 10th grade students. This means that 9th and 10th graders will have to stay on campus for lunch. Any 11th grade student that is not on graduation track will also have closed campus. To help monitor this new initiative Willits High School will have two lunches. A 9th and 10th grade lunch and a 11th and 12th grade lunch. This new lunch system will help us better monitor who comes on campus and leaves campus daily. The first lunch, which will be 9th, and 10th grade students, and it will be closed campus lunch where students will not be allowed to leave. The second lunch will be 11th and 12th grade lunch where students will be allowed to leave campus daily.

School offices will be open as of August 7. Guidance counselors return August 4. Students will receive their student schedule on August 18, two days prior to the first day of school. Ninth grade orientation and LINK crew will be on August 18 and 19. The first day of school is on Wednesday, August 20. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call Rose Mehtlan at Willits High School at 707-459-7700. We look forward to seeing you on the first day of school!